Adapting to the Abyss: Passive Ventilation in the Deep-Sea Glass Sponge Euplectella aspergillum.
Phys Rev Lett
; 132(20): 208402, 2024 May 17.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38829072
ABSTRACT
We analyze the flow physics inside the body cavity and downstream the deep-sea glass sponge Euplectella aspergillum. We provide evidence that the helical skeletal motifs of the sponge give rise to a rich fluid dynamic field, allowing the organism to scavenge flow from the bottom of the sea and promoting a spontaneous, organized vertical flow within its body cavity toward the osculum. Our analysis points at a functional adaptation of the organism, which can passively divert flow through the osculum in unfavorable, low ambient currents, with no need for active pumping, with potential repercussions in functional ecology, as well as the design of chemical reactors, air-treatment units, and civil and aeronaval structures.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Porifera
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Phys Rev Lett
/
Phys. rev. lett
/
Physical review letters
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article